Industry Findings

In the last decade or so, finite element technology has become a
generic enabling technology across a broad spectrum of industrial
sectors. However the scale, depth and level of maturity of
application varies widely. This diversity is to be expected given
the differing issues and drivers confronting the different
industrial sectors. Nevertheless there are a number of common
issues reported from all industrial sectors. FENET determined that
the principal issues are:

Integration of finite element technology and simulation into the
wider business enterprise in order to deliver real business
benefit.

How to ensure and measure quality of finite element analysis. (this
covers diverse topics including verification and validation, Q.A.,
the role of testing, data provenance etc.)

How to categorise and analyse modern materials.

How to allow, in a rational way, for the uncertainty that
characterises real world problems. There is increasing recognition
that as computer models become potentially more accurate,
traditional deterministic descriptions can compromise this
improvement. Accordingly there is increased interest in methods
such as probabilistic analysis, fuzzy logic and possibility theory.

Some of the other principal issues emerging from each of the
industrial sectors covered in the network are discussed in the
Industry Reports.